EPA manager Mick Neill dies
FEW people enriched as many lives as the late Mick Neill, College Road, Kilkenny, The much loved 62-year-old was joyous company, always in good form, resonating a warmth and joviality like few others. That what makes his death so hard to take.
In his day job as regional manager with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the city, he was a great professional, much respected and responsible for a number of leading studies in his field.
Above all, he was a family man who lived for his heartbroken wife Margaret, daughters, Suzanne, Claire and Sarah and his son Patrick.
The staff at the EPA on the Callan road have lost a friend and much valued colleague while the wider community have lost a giant of a man.
A Dub and proud of it, he was an engaging and witty raconteur with a superb intellect who never lost his Metropolitan accent, as he liked to call it, or his sense of humour.
Mick died in the early hours of Sunday morning surrounded by his loving family in the care of the dedicated staff at St Luke's Hospital, following a short illness.
Born and raised in Dublin on Upper Grand Canal Street, he attended UCD, where, under Prof Tom Casey, he was involved in piloting treatment systems for wastewater. These prototypes later become the basis for the systems installed in towns around the country. He then worked at the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards (now Enterprise Ireland) in research and development. Michael obtained his primary degree, in Chemistry and Physics, from the University of London and later was awarded a post-graduate diploma in Chemical Engineering by UCD.
Michael married his childhood sweetheart Margaret and they lived in Howth overlooking Dublin Bay. They came to Kilkenny in 1978 when Michael was appointed Regional Chemist by An Foras Forbartha and with Dr Paddy Flanagan set up the Regional Water Laboratory to service the water quality monitoring requirements of local authorities in the south-east. After An Foras Forbartha was abolished, in 1987 Michael and his staff were employed directly by the local authorities until the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1993.
The work then expanded to include, as well as the local authority requirements, the monitoring responsibilities of the EPA. The laboratory was initially situated in Upper Patrick Street and later on The Butts Green but in 2007 moved to a green-field site at Seville Lodge on the Callan Road. Michael was involved in the planning and design of the new building and was intensely proud of it and the people who worked there.
Michael produced an annual report on river water quality, in the south-east region, every year up to and including the work covered in 2009. He also reported on Lough Derg and Estuarine surveys which were undertaken by him and his staff. He wrote scientific papers which were published in international journals such as Water Research and Marine Pollution Bulletin. Important research of his included establishing a link between tillage (ploughing) and nitrate levels in rivers. His most recent initiative was in setting up a project to study siltation effects in rivers.
Michael had a wide circle of friends in Kilkenny. One of his great hobbies was his motorcycle and he had travelled on many trips throughout Ireland and to Europe with his motorcycle buddies the last of which was to Norway with his great friend Bob Brett. He and his wife Margaret travelled to Australia last year and later to Iceland. He had a great interest in Arctic and Antarctic exploration and was something of an expert in the field. Michael had travelled to the South Pole some years ago and the stunning scenes he captured of the region are a testimony to his skill as a photographer.
Michael’s parents predeceased him, his mother as recently as last Christmas, as did his brother Denis. He is survived by his wife Margaret, son Patrick, daughters Suzanne, Claire and Sarah and by his brothers.
In accordance with his wishes, Mick’s remains were brought to Newlands Cross Crematorium, Dublin yesterday (Tuesday) for cremation.
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Weather for Kilkenny
Monday 21 May 2012
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